Our Programs

Term Dates

The kindergarten term dates for 2017 are:

Term 1: 01 February to 31 MarchTerm 2: 18 April to 30 JuneTerm 3: 17 July to 22 SeptemberTerm 4: 9 October to 22 December

Program Overview

Children in their early learning years need to build skills that will enable them to have foundations for learning, not only for school in the next couple of years, but for life.The learning outcomes that we will be working on at Emmanuel are for children to:

have a strong sense of identity and learn who they are

contribute and be connected to the world and know where they belong in society and their community around them

have a strong sense of well being and grow socially and emotionally

be confident and involved learners and to learn through participation and experiences

be effective communicators and to develop their language skills

We base these outcomes and our planning on the new Victorian Early Years And Development Framework as developed by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development in partnership with the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority. This is an Early Childhood Curriculum specifically designed to give children a more holistic learning experience.Play and open ended learning opportunities, which allow children to investigate and explore their interests, are the fundamentals of this learning framework. These investigations and explorations are then extended with explicit teaching practices. When we give children play based experiences based on their interests we give children tools to develop their skills and the power to achieve the developmental milestones of identity, well being, communication, a capacity to learn and to contribute to community.

Three Year Old Program

Our three-year-old group includes children who are 3 and those turning 4. It has two sessions per week. Bi-weekly sessions assist children to establish a sense of connectedness and comfort with the kindergarten.We welcome new families to our kindergarten aware that when children feel nurtured, respected and valued, they gain confidence about their teachers, and begin to explore. Many exciting and positive experiences can then follow. We endeavour throughout the year to share with each parent about a highlight of your child’s day, a developing interest in something or the beginning of a new friendship. This information sharing builds understanding and allows formation of the collaborative partnership that underpins the kinder experience.We intentionally design our learning experiences to be open – be able to be explored and used in different ways, also to provoke thought and questions. As children play we see, acknowledge and value their creative endeavours; we listen, hear, respect and extend their theories, their jokes and their ideas. Where deeper interest is revealed we follow and support providing more extensive opportunities for discovering.Teaching the 3 year old groups at Emmanuel is a delight. The children have so much excitement and wonder, the teaching team is dynamic and inspiring, and the families are warm and friendly.In 2017 we have 11 places in Yellow, Purple and Blue group resulting in a maximum of 22 places per session.

Four Year Old Program

Our four-year-old groups include children who are 4 and those turning 5. Children attend for 15 hours over either two days or three days per week.

Children of this age are developing their abilities to play in a cooperative manner and to negotiate. Our aim is that children build and enjoy friendships, start to understand that they are all different, and that this diversity is interesting, both in play, and when working on group projects together. These projects arise and take direction according to the interests which are expressed by the children. Their curiosity may spark teachers to support the creation of a “wonder wall”. Particular enjoyment of a book may lead to scripting, illustrating and acting out a dramatic play. An interest in flowers and plants may mean a long term garden project.

The learning opportunities are rich when interest involves children in their own learning. Ideas are contributed enthusiastically, listening and respect for others is encouraged, challenges are overcome and as the group owns and shares responsibility a sense of belonging to community and a feeling of achievement develops.

Teaching 4 year olds is an adventure. As we engage with each new group we know that when we bring enthusiasm and passion to the educational environment an exciting year will unfold.

We have 30 places in our Green 4YO group and 22 places in our Red 4YO group for 2017.

Session Times:

Green Group (2017 & 2018)

Tuesday8.30 – 4.00pm. 7 ½ hours

Thursday 8.30 – 4.00pm. 7 ½ hours

Red Group 2017

Monday 11.45 – 4.45 pm. 5 hours

Wednesday8.15 – 1.15 pm. 5 hours

Friday11.45 – 4.45 pm. 5 hours

Fees 2017

Fees for 4 year olds are payable before the commencement of each term. The fees for 2017 are $450.00 per term.
Holders of Health Concession cards are invited to contact us to discuss card holder discounts.

Refundable maintenance levy $100 per family per year (upon 3 hours of maintenance duty for one child or 4.5hrs for 2 children).